For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken…Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to You, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For You will render to a man according to his work. ~ Psalm 62:1-2, 11-12

“Waiting in silence” is a bit of a stretch with six people all living in the same cabin and car, but God is faithful! Many of you have asked for an update, so this post is exactly that.

OUR FIRST STOP: We are currently at Westwood Ministries retreat center just west of Kerrville, TX. It’s a ruggedly beautiful place. When we arrived, white-tail and axis deer bolted across the gravel road in front of us. We have come to receive rest and healing from our Father by unplugging (except for this post), receiving Biblical counseling, and just spending time riding bikes, petting horses, playing basketball, going on walks, talking, writing…etc. The people here have been simply beautiful, slow, deliberate and gracious. We will spend a week here in the West Texas hill country communing with Jesus, each other and the grandeur of God’s creation.

GOD-SIGHTINGS: Every day we continue to see the strong and steadfast hand of God in our lives. Here are a few so far:

Ellie: I was scared that the trailer would fall off the car because it was so heavy, but it didn’t! (I was too.)

Josiah: I thought there wouldn’t be anything to do, but God gave me a basketball goal to play with.

Gabby: I’ve always wanted to be around horses and God sent me here where they have horses.

Austin: There’s a basketball goal (man of few words…and likes to beat up on his younger brother)

Jamie: Seeing four bikes propped up against our little white cabin means there are four kids playing together, four kids exploring, four kids free, four kids unafraid.

Steve: As we were leaving Katy I had numerous occasions to answer the question, “Where are you moving to?” This provided all kinds of opportunities to share what God is doing in our lives with people who don’t know Jesus. That was really fun.

PRAYER REQUESTS: If you have a moment to lift us up in prayer, here are some of our requests today:

Ellie: Help us make new friends along the way.

Josiah: That our family would grow closer to God in this adventure.

Gabby: That I wouldn’t be so scared at gas stations with all the strangers (“creepy people” as she calls them)

Austin: That I would still be able to work on my Eagle Scout Rank while we are traveling.

Jamie: That six people sharing one room would not “quench the spirit’s fire” if you know what I mean. (Sorry…TMI)

Steve: That I would allow Jesus to do honest heart-work in me during our time here at Westwood…and what Jamie said!

NEXT STOP: After our week at Westwood we will head back to Houston for some time with Jamie’s family and for me to preside over a wedding.

Thanks for checking in. May our great God fill you with His strength and steadfast love to courageously drop any nets that are keeping you from trusting Jesus.